Advanced Topics in Game Studies (Autumn 2024)
Official course description:
Course info
Programme
Staff
Course semester
Exam
Abstract
Students learn to analyse and critically engage with games and related theoretical topics.Description
Games and play are an increasingly important genre of entertainment, marketing, personal expression and art. This course provides a theoretical foundation for analysing game and engaging with the role of games in our society.
Students will gain an understanding of how to analyse and critically engage with games.
The seminar follows two interwoven threads: game analysis and theoretical topics in game research.
The course covers central topics that addresses these issues including:
- Games, mediation and textuality
- Player Involvement
- Narrative
- Aesthetics
- Ethics
- Persuasive Games
- Politics and ideologies of Games
- Game history
The students' own research interests are encouraged and welcomed.
Formal prerequisites
Students are expected to have a grounding in the theoretical humanities and/or social sciences.
This course builds on Games & Culture. If the prospective student has not taken this course, but feels qualified for other reasons, please contact the course manager before applying.
Intended learning outcomes
After the course, the student should be able to:
- Analyze digital games in a thorough and coherent manner, utilizing theories and methods engaged with in the course as a suite of analytical tools.
- Engage critically with the academic literature in the field of Game Studies.
- Refine and develop existing theories to better suit specific applied analysis.
- Research a given topic independently and write an essay that develops an existing theory or creates a new conceptual tool for game analysis.
Learning activities
There will be 13 lectures followed by exercises and one unit dedicated to the discussion of the idea for the written essay.
The exercises will consist of playing games and taking notes about the gameplay experience and the game analyses. We will focus on 3-4 relevant games (to be determined by the participants.)
Mandatory activities
1. Formulate a problem statement for your term paper, with a research question, a brief summary of method, empirical basis and relevant theories, and present this to the class, and also give feedback to other presentations.
The student will receive the grade NA (not approved) at the ordinary exam, if the mandatory activities are not approved and the student will use an exam attempt.
Course literature
The course literature varies from semester to semester and is determined in connection with the process of creating a schedule for the course topics and activities.
Student Activity Budget
Estimated distribution of learning activities for the typical student- Preparation for lectures and exercises: 15%
- Lectures: 20%
- Exercises: 15%
- Assignments: 10%
- Project work, supervision included: 20%
- Exam with preparation: 20%
Ordinary exam
Exam type:C: Submission of written work, External (7-point scale)
Exam variation:
C11: Submission of written work
The term paper is an essay that analyzes games from the point of view of game studies. It has to be based on a good-sized literature review, contain an original research question and a solid argument, and use (i.e. critically engage, not simply list) a substantial number of sources (15-20).
Its length should be between 10 and 12 pages.
reexam
Exam type:C: Submission of written work, External (7-point scale)
Exam variation:
C11: Submission of written work
The term paper is an essay that analyzes games from the point of view of game studies. It has to be based on a good-sized literature review, contain an original research question and a solid argument, and use (i.e. critically engage, not simply list) a substantial number of sources (15-20).
Its length should be between 10 and 12 pages.